The Industrial Legacy of Ideal Stencil Machines – Now as Fonts
For nearly a century, Ideal Stencil Machine Co. from Belleville, Illinois, was a leading name in industrial marking. Their stencil machines were widely used by businesses and military forces, with Ideal No.1 and Ideal No.2 being the most produced models—43,000 and 20,000 units, respectively.
During the peak years of the Second World War and the Korean War, these machines played a crucial role in logistics and military supply chains. However, as the shipping industry transitioned to standardized containers in the 1960s, demand for stencils steadily declined. New labeling methods like adhesive labels, barcode systems, and digital printing eventually replaced traditional stencil marking.
Despite this shift, the visual aesthetic of stencil typography remains iconic. It shaped industrial signage for decades and continues to inspire artists and designers today—especially in fields like street art, branding, and creative typography.
To keep this heritage alive, Astype Fonts has meticulously recreated the lettering styles of the Ideal No.1 and Ideal No.2 stencil machines as digital fonts. The latest addition to our Vtg Stencil font collection brings this historical type design into the present day.
As always have fun and make good stuff. Try out the Ideal No.2 and Ideal No.1!